Rachel Schiff

Rachel Schiff, Ph.D., is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, affiliated with the Breast Center and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on understanding the biology of ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancers, developing targeted therapies, and identifying mechanisms of treatment resistance. Key research areas include estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 signaling pathways, genomic and epigenomic alterations, and biomarker discovery for personalized medicine. She leads the Schiff-Osborne Lab, collaborating with clinicians and bioinformaticians to translate findings into clinical applications.

Dr. Schiff’s work emphasizes preclinical models of therapy resistance, including CDK4/6 inhibitors and anti-HER2 therapies. Her lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying resistance, such as FOXA1-driven transcriptional reprogramming, interferon signaling activation, and cross-talk between oncogenic pathways. Ongoing projects include developing biomarkers to predict response to targeted therapies and exploring combination treatments to overcome resistance.

Her lab is equipped with advanced facilities, including state-of-the-art molecular biology tools and a large-scale animal care facility. Collaborative efforts with other institutions focus on integrating clinical specimens, OMICS data, and functional genomics to advance precision oncology. Dr. Schiff’s contributions have led to translational advancements, including new therapeutic strategies and biomarker-driven clinical trials.